In 1802, the Republican controlled congress, repealed the judiciary act of 1801, and so abolished the circuit judgeships and other offices to which John Adams had made his “midnight appointment (Shi &Tindall, 2013, P.331, …show more content…
Madison in 1803. This was the first case in which the Supreme Court declared a federal law unconstitutional. The case involved the appointment of William Marbury, Maryland Federalist and prominent land speculator, as justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, Marbury’s letter of appointment signed by President Adams two days before he left office, was undelivered by Madison. Madison, who was directed to withhold the letter of appointment from Marbury by the ensuing President, Thomas Jefferson (Shi &Tindall, 2013, P.331,